Sciontec progresses Hemisphere labs plan

Originally planned as a pure office development, the 116,000 sq ft Liverpool scheme has been updated to include 50,000 sq ft of lab space in line with the city region’s life science investment zone vision. 

Under Sciontec’s revised Hemisphere proposals, the top three floors of the eight-storey building will be given over to labs, with an occupier already lined up. 

Last month, Place North West reported plans for Hemisphere were being reworked as part of the combined authority’s £80m investment zone proposals and that the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Facility was in line to occupy the lab space. 

Read more about how LCR plans to spend its investment zone funding

“The labs within Hemisphere will be a shop window to the world for health and life sciences, net zero carbon innovation and technology,” said Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Sciontec and KQ Liverpool. 

“By providing much-needed grow-on space for existing lab customers, as well as bringing new labs to market, we will ensure that Liverpool City Region remains an attractive destination for business growth.” 

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said that the development would allow existing industries in the area to thrive. 

“With world-leading industry clusters in infectious disease control, materials chemistry, and AI, all on our doorstep, we have a thriving innovation economy. 

“But to keep it growing, it’s vital that we are not only able to offer businesses the high-tech, sustainable office space they need to flourish but much-needed lab space too. Hemisphere will help take us there.” 

Floors three and four will remain as offices under the redrawn plans with the ground, first, and second floors housing communal and amenity spaces including an innovation lab, events space, and wellness studio. 

The building has been designed by AHR Architects. CBRE and Knight Frank have been retained as agents. 

Planning for the scheme was approved last year. Credit: via Jayne Moore Media

The investment zone context 

The government announced the city region as a life sciences investment zone, focussing on life sciences and the pharmaceutical industry, earlier this year. 

Paddington Village will act as the fulcrum of the investment zone, with the Spine, Hemisphere, and Compound Labs – a fresh 126,000 sq ft building announced last month as part of the £80m programme – providing space for companies in the health and life sciences sector. 

The investment zone will also feature sites in neighbouring boroughs, including in Runcorn, St Helens, Maghull, and Prescot. 

Rotheram said the scheme fits well with what he is trying to achieve as Mayor. 

“Sciontec’s plans for Hemisphere encapsulate much of my vision for the region: harnessing the expertise of our world-class universities in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, attracting nationwide jobs, and housing it all in one of the cleanest, greenest buildings in our region – the first to be operationally net zero.” 

A sustainable future 

Hemisphere’s sustainability credentials will place the building among the most carbon-efficient in the country. It will have 30% less embodied carbon than typical office buildings, and 40% less glazing. 

The plan is for the building to be net zero in operation and Sciontec is targeting energy consumption of 55kwh/m2 a year, in line with LETI targets. 

Hemisphere is also aiming for Platinum WELL Standard, a BREEAM Excellent rating, a WiredScore certification, and NABERS 5.5*. 

Growing Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter 

The scheme is a key component of Paddington Village, part of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, and an important strategic site for the city council. 

Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for growth and economy, said:  “The addition of Hemisphere will be a great asset to Paddington Village and to our growing knowledge economy.  

“It’s hugely encouraging that Sciontec has updated its plans for what will be a fantastic building, as it demonstrates the demand in Liverpool for high-quality laboratory space.”  

He added: “It bodes well for the future and there are even more developments in the pipeline at Paddington Village to ensure we continue to capitalise on our world-class offer in life sciences.”